I still believe the Browns need to address the QB position here, and any of the top four quarterbacks are in play now that Darnold and Josh Rosen have officially declared for the draft. This pick obviously changes (or is up for grabs via trade) if Cleveland lands Kirk Cousins in free agency. Between off-field issues for Rosen and his tools and intangibles on the field, Darnold should be the pick. I understand why Kiper went with Josh Allen in his first mock, but Darnold is a little safer. He's the best of the bunch at this point.

2. New York Giants
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA*

New coach Pat Shurmur has publicly supported 37-year-old Eli Manning as New York's starting QB next season, so this pick remains the same as my last mock. The Giants could take Rosen as the heir apparent, but I wouldn't be surprised if a team traded with New York to get ahead of the Jets and Broncos in an effort to grab Rosen. Drafting Saquon Barkley to pair with Odell Beckham Jr. could be a possibility as well. The Giants have a lot of options.

3. Indianapolis Colts
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Indianapolis has needs all over the roster but is one of the few teams in the top 10 that should be set at QB, assuming Andrew Luck comes back healthy. One of their needs is an edge rusher, and Chubb is the best one available. He's a grinder with a great motor and has played his way into being a top-10 pick. The Colts will be another potential team looking to trade back if someone wants to move up for a QB.

The Browns have a lot of needs (CB, WR, DE opposite Myles Garrett among them), but they have a real chance to finish off a home run draft in this scenario. With a new QB at No. 1, running back is also a need. Isaiah Crowell is a pending free agent, and Duke Johnson has one year left on his deal. Barkley is better than both players and is No. 1 on my list of the top 32 prospects. He's the best player in this draft.

5. Denver Broncos
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The Broncos have to accept that they missed on Paxton Lynch (No. 26 overall in 2016) and are still looking for a franchise QB. This is another potential landing spot for Cousins or another free-agent QB, but if Denver doesn't get one in free agency, it will likely use an early pick on a signal-caller. John Elway was at the Senior Bowl and scouted both Mayfield and Josh Allen. This will be a really interesting pick if both are on the board. Mayfield had an impressive week in Mobile and checked the biggest remaining box with his measurements (6-foot, 216 pounds, 9˝-inch hand span). He's rising.

6. New York Jets
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming*

Yes, it's a running theme -- this is another landing spot for Cousins. If the Jets don't sign him in free agency, Allen makes a lot of sense if Mayfield is off the board. There is a significant drop-off in talent after the first four QBs in this draft, so the Jets need to make sure they grab one here. Allen had an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, showing off his arm and his mobility. There are still concerns about his accuracy and ability to make multidimensional throws consistently, but all the tools are there. And he has the prototypical QB build (6-4 7/8, 237).

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama*

The Bucs were dead last in the NFL with 17 sacks last season, and the defense was been porous (31st in total points). They still need another edge rusher opposite Noah Spence, but drafting the best possible player is better than reaching for a pass-rusher here. Fitzpatrick is a shutdown cornerback with the versatility to play safety and can be plugged in immediately.

8. Chicago Bears
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

The Bears desperately need playmakers on the outside for second-year QB Mitchell Trubisky and can't count on Kevin White to stay healthy. Ridley is the clear No. 1 wideout in this class, and while I don't think he's a true No. 1 NFL wide receiver, he's much better than his stats in a run-heavy Alabama offense indicate. Denzel Ward would be another consideration here.

9. San Francisco 49ers**
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State*

Well, things have changed a bit for the 49ers, haven't they? With Jimmy Garoppolo looking like a franchise QB, all of a sudden it's no longer a position of need for San Francisco. Instead, the 49ers can look to the defensive side of the ball and grab the best man-to-man cover corner in this draft. Ward lacks ideal starting experience at Ohio State but was exceptional this season and quickly rose up my board.

10. Oakland Raiders**
Tremaine Edmunds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech*

The Oakland defense gave up 5.6 yards per play last season (27th), so help is needed. CB Gareon Conley, last year's first-round pick, is still an unknown after playing only two games in 2017, which means the secondary is still a question mark. But the Raiders also have a need at linebacker, and with the top two CBs off the board, they can choose between Edwards and Roquan Smith. Edmunds is a better fit for Oakland, as he can play off the line and rush off the edge. He's an athletic freak who will turn some heads at the combine.

11. Miami Dolphins
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame*

Quarterback could be an option if one of the top four QBs is still available here. However, Miami has a glaring need at guard, both in the run game (29th in rushing yards in 2017) and to protect Ryan Tannehill. Dolphins fans won't be excited with this pick, but they would be getting one of the top five players in this draft. Nelson is one of the safer picks.

12. Cincinnati Bengals
Connor Williams, OT, Texas*

Cincinnati had a disappointing season, and the offensive line was a big reason why. Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher (out for the season with an irregular heartbeat) haven't played up to their draft potential, and Cincinnati struggled to protect Andy Dalton and run the ball. The Bengals should take the best offensive lineman available at No. 12. If they are comfortable with Williams' medicals, he's the most gifted left tackle in this class.

13. Washington Redskins
Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia*

After trading for Alex Smith and parting ways with Cousins, the QB position will no longer be an issue for the Redskins. Now they must shore up their defense and add weapons for Smith. Derwin James is a possibility here, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Su'a Cravens, but Smith is the best player on the board and would immediately increase the speed and athleticism on Washington's defensive front.

14. Green Bay Packers
Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

Davenport was one of the clear winners of the Senior Bowl. Not only were his measurements impressive (6-5 7/8, 259), but he was terrific in practice. He's still a work in progress and needs more of a variety of pass-rush moves, but he's already long and powerful. Green Bay needs more difference-makers on defense, and Davenport could be one.

15. Arizona Cardinals
Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma*

The Cardinals seem likely to add a quarterback in free agency, but if they don't and one of the top four QBs is available here, they'd have to consider taking him. If QB isn't an option, cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson and offensive line should be the two target areas. Brown would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle for Arizona. He's overpowering and a nasty run-blocker. Plus, it takes a $20 cab ride to get around him as a pass-rusher.

16. Baltimore Ravens
Vita Vea, DT, Washington*

The Ravens are in dire need of offensive playmakers, but there just isn't the value at this point in the draft. What direction will GM Ozzie Newsome go for his final NFL draft? He has usually gone best player available, and that's what I see Baltimore doing here. Vea is a versatile defensive lineman who has drawn comparisons to Haloti Ngata and should put up some big numbers at the combine.

17. Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin James, S, Florida State*

James had a disappointing season at Florida State, but he would fit perfectly in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's scheme. James flies around the field versus the run and is a good matchup piece in the passing game. I think he'll have a better pro career than he did at FSU.

18. Seattle Seahawks
Mike Hughes, CB, UCF*

Hughes is a little smaller (listed at 5-11, 185) than the Seahawks typically like for their corners, but he excels in press-man coverage. An outstanding talent, Hughes is capable of winning a starting job as a rookie. He has had some trouble off the field, but he has matured, and Seattle hasn't shied away from players with troubled pasts before. Cornerback is an area of need with Richard Sherman's future still up in the air.

19. Dallas Cowboys
Mo Hurst, DT, Michigan

I'm higher on Hurst than others, but he's a good value here in the mid-to-late first round. He's highly disruptive in the middle and would be a good fit as a three-technique in Rod Marinelli's scheme. With Jason Witten turning 36 this offseason, TE Dallas Goedert could be an option here as well.

20. Detroit Lions
Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia

An edge rusher would be ideal with Ezekiel Ansah a pending free agent, but I don't see a great value here. Detroit has plenty of needs on defense, but needs to keep Matthew Stafford upright to have any chance. Wynn developed into a dominant OT at Georgia and had a brilliant week of practice at the Senior Bowl when they moved him to guard.

21. Buffalo Bills
Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

The big question for the Bills is what they're doing at QB. Will they package this pick and No. 22 to move up for one? Buffalo missed on LB Reggie Ragland (a 2016 second-rounder who was traded to K.C.), but I think they go back to the well here. Evans is much more athletic than Ragland and really came on strong during the 2017 season for Alabama. He has great range in coverage and can play the run.

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs)
Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama*

Payne's sack numbers are underwhelming, but he's a disruptive interior player. Just turn on the national championship game film; it seemed like he was in the backfield most plays. I believe he can be an every-down defensive lineman in the NFL and get pressure on QBs frequently. He's also a playmaking run defender.

23. Los Angeles Rams
Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State

A plug-and-play starter, Price will help an improved Rams offense line on the inside. A four-year starter, Price has elite experience at both guard and center. An excellent leader, I would think he'd play guard for Los Angeles.

24. Carolina Panthers
Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M*

Kirk had a frustrating 2017 season but showed flashes of why he should be picked this high. The Panthers need to continue to put playmakers around Cam Newton, and Kirk can threaten defenses vertically and create with the ball in his hands.

25. Tennessee Titans
Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

It isn't a terrific tight end group this year, but Goedert is the best one in this class. He's still a little underrated and didn't get a chance to shine in the Senior Bowl, as he was injured on the first day of practice. You don't get too many two-way TEs coming out of college, but Goedert fits the bill. He's got a big frame (6-4, 260) with good speed and can play in-line or detached. He's another good, young weapon for Marcus Mariota.

26. Atlanta Falcons
James Daniels, G/C, Iowa*

The Falcons may look to the defensive line with Dontari Poe and Courtney Upshaw both free agents, but they could also upgrade their running game with Daniels. He played mostly at center for Iowa but does have experience at guard. He has very consistent tape.

27. New Orleans Saints
Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

Wide receiver is a bigger need for New Orleans, but there's no value fit here. The Saints could use another edge rusher to pair with Sheldon Rankins and Cam Jordan. Landry is a bit undersized and battled through an ankle injury this season, but he has shown the ability to get home as a pass-rusher (he led the nation with 16.5 sacks in 2016). A hard worker, he uses his hands well and shows the flexibility to bend the edge.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers
Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa*

The Steelers still can use help on the outside, even after using a first-round pick on a CB in 2016 (Artie Burns). Jackson is a long corner and an absolute ball hawk who led the nation with eight INTs. His timed speed at the combine will play a big role in where he gets drafted.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina*

This may be a bit of a reach for Hurst, but he's a big (6-5, 250), athletic target who can contribute immediately. A former pro baseball player, Hurst has good ball skills and can help stretch the field for Leonard Fournette and Jacksonville's offense.

30. Minnesota Vikings
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Minnesota came up short in the NFC Championship Game, but this is a very solid roster with good depth throughout. The biggest question mark is at QB, but that will be solved one way or another in free agency. Even after investing in the offensive line last offseason (Mike Remmers, Riley Reiff), the Vikings could use some more depth there. McGlinchey is a good player who played left tackle at Notre Dame but will likely be an RT at the next level. He's an experienced starter with great character. Minnesota has had success with Fighting Irish players in the past (Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph).

31. New England Patriots
M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina

Given his Super Bowl controversy, it certainly appears New England will part ways with Malcolm Butler. Spending an early pick on a CB makes sense, especially with Stephon Gilmore on the other side. Stewart is underrated and an experienced player, with adequate height (5-10) and very good top-end speed. He'll also support the run.

32. Philadelphia Eagles
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida*

After winning a Super Bowl with a backup QB, it's fair to say this is a deep roster. The Eagles have the luxury of drafting for value, and it's never a bad idea to add depth along the defensive line. A twitchy one-gap DT with the tools to continue to develop, Bryan is raw, but he has the athleticism to mold and good get-off quickness. He could work into Philadelphia's defensive line rotation behind Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan.

Quote:

49ers signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million contract.

In terms of average-annual value — $27.5 million — it makes Garoppolo the highest-paid player in NFL history. That's at least until Kirk Cousins hits free agency. Going on 27, Garoppolo has made only seven career starts, but he has won all of them. He was a wonder in his six 2017 49ers appearances, completing 67.4 percent of his 178 passes while averaging 8.8 yards per attempt. This, with Marquise Goodwin as his No. 1 receiver. Garoppolo's signature is his lighting-quick release. It allows him to attempt throws other quarterbacks would not dream of. The money is eye-popping for someone with so little regular season experience, but Garoppolo should validate the 49ers' trust in 2018.

According to Breer, Gronk has "been responsible with his finances," so walking away early is not as big of a financial concern as it might be for other players. Gronk is also a veritable star who reportedly is looking into an acting career once his playing days are finished. We still think it is likely Gronkowski returns in 2018, but considering the beating he takes each season and the options available to him, it is not surprising he is at least thinking about walking away.

does anyone know if Garoppolo's contract is incentive based? I know the 9ers are hard-up for anything but that contract seems excessive for a new player. Why does JaMarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf come to mind?

espn insider: GM for a day: Making every NFL team's biggest free-agent decision

Spoiler

Quote:

With the 2018 NFL offseason upon us, the collective focus of all 32 teams shifts toward player movement: The combine begins at the end of this month (Feb. 27); free agency kicks off shortly after that (March 12); and the first round of the draft is April 26.

In a recent piece on ESPN.com, the NFL Nation team pulled together a list of the most significant free-agent decisions facing all 32 teams.

My job today? To use the NFL Nation reporters' list and play general manager for each team, deciding whether teams should pay or pass on these decisions, factoring in player performance and impact, team depth, financial implications and more.

Some decisions involved the franchise tag. Some were big money, long-term deals. Others were about upgrading in the draft. Here's what I would do for the top significant free-agent decisions this offseason:

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills
Cornerback E.J. Gaines

The Bills overhauled their secondary last offseason, investing a first-round pick in Tre'Davious White and spending lucratively to sign Micah Hyde in free agency. But two other moves -- a four-year deal for Jordan Poyer and acquiring Gaines in the trade that sent Sammy Watkins to the Rams -- proved to be critical in rounding out this group. The defensive system in Buffalo calls for cornerbacks with discipline and instincts, as it relies heavily on zone schemes (rather than featuring a cornerback playing on an island extensively). Gaines stood out in 2017 and seemed to fit right in with the new culture established.

Verdict: Pay Gaines to stay.

Miami Dolphins
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry

Few looming decisions have become more public than those surrounding Landry, who in January described talks with Miami as "disrespectful." The difference between what Landry is looking for and what Miami is offering him probably stems from this: While his catch production is off the charts -- he has exactly 400 catches through four seasons, the most by any player in his first four NFL seasons -- Landry has the lowest yards per catch (10.1) among the 49 wide receivers with at least 180 receptions since he entered the league. He's a volume vacuum, but he offers less in the big-play department. He's exceptionally tough and reliable and a leader for Miami, but if he desires true No. 1 receiver money -- $14 million per season or more -- it will be tough for the Dolphins to keep him.

The surprise benching in the Super Bowl was the writing on the wall for Butler, who is unlikely to be back in 2018. The Patriots have an exceptional track record of identifying value in running backs, something Lewis himself -- who joined the team on a reserve/future deal in 2015 -- is an example of. Meanwhile, Solder will be expensive to keep around (his current deal prohibits the use of a franchise tag), but he also would be the most difficult to replace, especially with two other tackles, Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle, set to become free agents.

Verdict: Prioritize Solder; offer Lewis a deal with comparable value to James White's for three years and $12 million; let Butler walk.

New York Jets
Quarterback Josh McCown

McCown had a productive 2017 before a broken hand sent him to injured reserve. He's also universally respected within the organization. But the Jets will be financially equipped with about $70 million in cap space to make a run at any of the quarterbacks who hit the open market, including Kirk Cousins. Signing Cousins would be a prudent move that could accelerate the reboot. That's the starting point.

Verdict: Pursue Cousins, re-sign McCown on a one-year deal as a fallback. (Note: Cousins and McCown happen to share an agent.)

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens
Center Ryan Jensen

The Ravens faced the possibility of losing the centerpiece of their defensive line last offseason, as Brandon Williams was pegged to hit free agency before signing a massive five-year deal. Baltimore finds itself in a similar dilemma again this year. Considering how the offensive line is valued in today's league, Jensen will cash in if he hits the open market. An annual salary of $8 million would make sense for him. The Ravens are tight against the cap, which will emphasize the need to replace free-agent departures through the draft.

Verdict: Let Jensen walk.

Cincinnati Bengals
Tight end Tyler Eifert

The adage that a player's best ability is his availability is a common refrain centered around Eifert, who has never played a full season in the five years since the Bengals drafted him. With substantial injury concerns, testing the market will be a tricky endeavor for him, especially when coupled with what appears to be a steady 2018 class of tight end prospects. From the Bengals' perspective, it's important to approach this situation on their terms and not overextend.

Verdict: Offer Eifert a one-year, incentive-laden deal tied to being active for games.

Cleveland Browns
Upgrades at wide receiver

No Browns receiver had more than 27 receptions last season. The position received a boost when Josh Gordon returned from suspension, but the need for a talent infusion remains. Cleveland is loaded with draft capital and cap space, meaning that acquiring talent isn't the issue; it's finding talent that matters. Quarterback is the top objective. But the Browns need to find pass-catchers to surround that player with too. There's not much to say here other than the obvious: Cleveland needs help almost everywhere.

Verdict: Draft receivers, and pay receivers in free agency. Make it a priority.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Running back Le'Veon Bell

While Bell at one point suggested he'd be disappointed if the Steelers franchised him again, it's the starting point for Pittsburgh (with a price tag just north of $14.5 million). One factor in the decision on Bell is a team's philosophy on paying running backs on long-term deals, as some believe the position is more replaceable than others. But letting Bell -- perhaps the league's most complete back -- walk away would set back a high-octane offense.

Verdict: Use the tag on Bell, but aim for a long-term deal.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans
Answers at cornerback

The Texans opted not to use the franchise tag on cornerback A.J. Bouye in 2017. Now Houston's need for cornerbacks is even more robust, with Kareem Jackson and Kevin Johnson being the only notable contributors still under contract for 2018. New England's Malcolm Butler is scheduled to become a free agent, and it's worth noting that Frantzy Jourdain -- a highly regarded scout who now works for the Texans -- was the first step in the Patriots' evaluation of Butler, finding him as a small college prospect at West Alabama.

Verdict: Make an aggressive play to sign Butler.

Indianapolis Colts
Land a quality pass-rusher

Only the Buccaneers registered fewer sacks as a team (22.0) than the Colts (25.0) in 2017. Indianapolis has an excellent No. 2 rusher with Jabaal Sheard, but a dominant edge presence would alter the complexion of the team's front seven. The Colts are in a unique position with the No. 3 pick in April's draft as the two teams ahead of them -- the Browns and Giants -- are expected to seriously consider quarterbacks, which means arguably the best player in this year's class, NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb, could fall right into their laps.

Verdict: Draft Chubb.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Allen Robinson

Robinson's brilliant 2015 campaign suggested a path to stardom, but a disappointing 2016 showing and a torn left ACL ending his 2017 season after one week complicated matters. No team currently has more cap commitments on the books for 2018 than Jacksonville, meaning the team will need to make some difficult decisions. Given what the Jaguars were able to produce in the passing game with others -- including fellow free agent-to-be Marqise Lee -- a proposal to Robinson has to be financially sound.

Josh Kline should be a priority to re-sign. The value of continuity and availability cannot be overlooked on the offensive line, and Kline played 99.9 percent of the offensive snaps in 2017. The market will feature other notable talent at guard, including Carolina's Andrew Norwell, but there also will be value in the middle to late rounds of the draft.

Verdict: Retain Kline and Quinton Spain, draft another guard.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos
Figure out what to do at quarterback

Just two years after selecting Paxton Lynch, the Broncos are equipped with the fifth overall pick in this year's draft to potentially land a quarterback. But Kansas City's stunning late-January trade of Alex Smith to Washington signaled that Kirk Cousins is available, either via trade or on the open market, if Washington doesn't franchise him. The list of Broncos players who already have championed the idea of chasing Cousins is long. John Elway should have his sights set on Cousins.

Verdict: Find a way to get Cousins.

Kansas City Chiefs
Pass rush help

The Chiefs already made the decision that will define their offseason when they traded Alex Smith to Washington, turning the keys over to Patrick Mahomes. That leaves the pass rush, where Justin Houston was the only consistent force in 2017. Veteran mainstay Tamba Hali -- who was limited to just five games last season -- seems to be at risk of losing his roster spot at his current price tag, while former first-rounder Dee Ford needs to get healthy after playing only six games in 2017 (the upcoming season marks the final year of Ford's deal). The takeaway: Finding long-term pass-rush presence is essential for Kansas City. The best avenue? Probably the draft.

Verdict: Make an edge rusher a priority in the draft.

Los Angeles Chargers
Find a consistent kicker

No team had less consistent kicking in 2017 than the Chargers, who collectively made just 20 of 30 field goal attempts, while missing five extra point attempts, which tied with the Vikings for most in the NFL. The Chargers claimed Nick Rose off of waivers late in the season and signed Roberto Aguayo to a reserve/future deal. Adding another kicker for the sake of competition makes sense.

Verdict: Spend the requisite money to land a veteran kicker in free agency.

Oakland Raiders
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman

Bowman quickly found work across the San Francisco Bay after the 49ers released him. He also enjoyed a rapid ascension with the Raiders, emerging as the quarterback of the defense by the end of the season. With a dearth of defensive talent, keeping Bowman is essential for Jon Gruden and his staff, which will be coordinated on defense by Paul Guenther. Bowman is not the same impact player he was early in his career, but he is reliable and a boon to any team's culture and leadership.

Verdict: Retain Bowman on a two-year deal.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence

Lawrence has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the league, dominating in 2017 as a pass-rusher (14.5 sacks) who can also set the edge in the running game. If Lawrence, soon to be 26 years old, hits the free-agent market, he would be paid a remarkable amount of money, given his performance, youth and position. For Dallas, the franchise tag is the likely outcome, but a long-term deal is sensible business. He is a franchise building block for a defense sorely in need of one. If Lawrence is franchise-tagged this year, he would hit the open market again in 2019, when guard Zack Martin also is scheduled to be a free agent. The Cowboys could work out a deal with one or both to avoid that potential franchise-tag collision.

Verdict: Work for a long-term deal, and fall back with a franchise tag.

New York Giants
Offensive lineman Justin Pugh

The Giants' offensive line is thin on talent, and Pugh is a compelling player because of his ability and versatility, as he has played guard and right tackle. A recent free-agency trend that you can count on persisting is offensive linemen being paid handsomely, so retaining Pugh won't come cheap. But general manager Dave Gettleman has a known affinity for building his teams through the trenches, which leads one to suspect he'll find a way to retain Pugh. The franchise tag is an obvious avenue to consider.

Verdict: Give Pugh the franchise tag.

Philadelphia Eagles
Running back Darren Sproles

Sproles will be 35 in June and is coming off a "double whammy" torn ACL and broken arm, which he suffered on the same play in September. It's possible he could decide to call it a career, but he also could return to the Super Bowl champs on a cheap deal. The reality of building the league's best roster, however, is that the Eagles are limited with cap flexibility and also must consider retaining players such as linebacker Nigel Bradham, cornerback Patrick Robinson and running back LeGarrette Blount. With Corey Clement's emergence to complement Jay Ajayi -- plus the healthy return of Donnel Pumphrey -- the Eagles might not be able to afford a big deal for Sproles. Given the respect he has earned as a player, Philadelphia should explore keeping him around.

Verdict: Offer Sproles a veterans minimum deal.

Washington Redskins
Quarterback Kirk Cousins

Cousins is once again at the centerpiece of the Redskins' offseason focus, just in a different vein this year. After acquiring Alex Smith in a trade, it's clear that Cousins will not be in Washington in 2018. The Redskins, however, are considering a franchise tag for Cousins as a placeholder to buy time to trade him. The risk? The team would have to carry the $34.5 million charge on its cap until a trade is completed (among other factors). The reward? The opportunity to acquire draft capital in exchange for Cousins, which could be significant. There's a school of thought that Washington should merely move on from him and let this saga pass, but given how far it already has dragged, the idea of tagging him for the business upside makes sense.

Verdict: Franchise tag Cousins with the intent to trade.

NFC North

Chicago Bears
Figure out what to do at cornerback

The Bears find themselves in a solid spot in the draft, as four of the teams in front of them at pick No. 8 could conceivably be in the market for a quarterback. That should push talent at other positions down the board. Along those lines -- though it's early in the draft process -- Alabama corner/safety Minkah Fitzpatrick checks many of the requisite boxes to be a top-flight NFL defensive back. Beyond the draft, the Bears should work to retain Kyle Fuller, banking on his progression during his age-25 season under coordinator Vic Fangio. Fuller would be a key retention for new coach Matt Nagy.

Verdict: Sign Fuller and consider a cornerback in the first round.

Detroit Lions
Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah

Ansah finished the season with 12 sacks, but nine came in just three games. He didn't have a sack in eight of his 14 games. He was productive in other ways, but a long-term deal is tricky. The 28-year-old Ansah is a truly unique talent who has made undeniable development since being drafted in the first round in 2013, and he is the Lions' best pass-rusher. And while there is an element of projection as to how he'll fit into new coach Matt Patricia's defensive scheme, the bottom line is that Ansah has the skills to work in any defense. A one-year deal makes sense.

Verdict: Give Ansah the franchise tag.

Green Bay Packers
Defense, defense, defense

While the Packers promoted from within to hire new general manager Brian Gutekunst, it's not immediately clear if he plans to follow the lead of Ted Thompson and stick to a draft-and-develop approach, largely eschewing external free agency. The Packers sit at pick No. 14 in April's draft, and that's where this equation begins. The team needs an infusion of youth up front, specifically natural pass-rushers. The draft is the prime spot for Green Bay to make defensive upgrades, particularly as the team's top two potential free agents (wide receiver Davante Adams and center Corey Linsley) were recently given extensions.

Verdict: Draft, draft and draft some more defenders.

Minnesota Vikings
What to do with all three quarterbacks

The Vikings' quarterback approach is a massive domino in the NFL offseason, as Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford will all be free agents. In talking to people around the NFL about this situation, the most common sentiment I've heard has been that the team probably needs to franchise Keenum based on how he played in 2017. But reading the tea leaves of Mike Zimmer's comments suggest that anything is possible. Ultimately, health concerns for Bradford loom, and we're still not entirely sure how far Bridgewater has progressed since his massive knee injury in 2016. Keenum is the surest thing of the three.

Verdict: Tag Keenum, and angle to retain one of the other two for competition.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
Settle on a solution at defensive tackle

This dilemma ties into both the potential retention of Dontari Poe and an extension for Grady Jarrett. Let's address the latter first, even though Jarrett still has a year left on his contract. He has emerged as one of the team's dominant forces and is a homegrown talent who is not yet 25. With one year left on a deal that will pay him just $705,000 for 2018, Jarrett would likely be open to an extension now. From a team perspective, doing a deal a year in advance of free agency might lower the average annual value (players on the open market almost always see significant money) and ensure a key piece is tied up for the long haul.

Verdict: Prioritize an extension for Jarrett, and angle to retain Poe on a three-year deal.

If you don't know about Norwell yet, get familiar. The punishing left guard is about to get paid, as he has established himself as a top player -- and comparable guards have seen massive paydays in free agency recently. A long-term deal for Norwell that pays an average annual value of $10 million awaits -- from Carolina or another team. While Lotulelei can be a force, the Panthers are much better equipped to replace him if he were to depart.

Verdict: Pay up to retain Norwell on a long-term deal.

New Orleans Saints
Quarterback Drew Brees

After two early-season defeats, it looked as though the Saints were headed toward another season without the postseason. That prompted questions as to whether the team needed to press reset and allow Brees to finish his historic career elsewhere. That's a distant memory, however, as following a run to the postseason and a reinvigorated roster, New Orleans is right back on track. Brees has shown zero signs of physical regression, meaning a long-term investment in him is not a risk -- it's prudent. One note to keep in mind: His previous deal prevents New Orleans from using its franchise tag on him.

Verdict: Hammer home a four-year deal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerback Brent Grimes

Grimes continues to defy age, as at 34 he remains a supremely productive player. He perpetually finds the football with excellent man-to-man coverage skills and is a leader for a Buccaneers cornerback group that leaned on quite a bit of youth this season. If Grimes covets the chance to compete for a championship, he might choose to look elsewhere, but Tampa Bay has a need at cornerback and could part ways with other veteran defenders this offseason.

Verdict: Try to sign Grimes to a two-year deal.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback Tramon Williams

Williams was yet another outstanding veteran find by general manager Steve Keim, who has a knack for signing players who help Arizona to short-term deals. The question here is: Do the retirements of Carson Palmer and coach Bruce Arians signify an organizational rebuild for the Cardinals under new coach Steve Wilks? If the team thinks that is the case, cultivating young talent should be the priority. If the team thinks the playoffs are within reach provided it can find a quarterback, retaining Williams makes sense. My two cents is that Arizona hedges closer toward this being a (quick) rebuild, working to pad the roster with young talent and a quarterback this offseason.

Verdict: Let Williams walk.

Los Angeles Rams
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson

There is a spirited conversation to be had about Johnson's value, as some around the NFL view him as a player better suited to be a strong complementary corner than a true lockdown defender. After successive franchise tags, Johnson is no doubt looking for that lockdown corner money, and the Rams are in a healthy salary-cap standpoint with a major need at the position. But given the need to extend Aaron Donald and an interest in retaining Sammy Watkins, and with an eye toward the future (Todd Gurley is now eligible for an extension, for example), the team must be mindful of balancing the books in terms of which players are financial priorities.

Verdict: Let Johnson walk.

San Francisco 49ers
What to do at running back

The 49ers relied on two running backs in 2017: Carlos Hyde and Matt Breida. Hyde is now set to be a free agent, while Breida was acquired as an undrafted free agent last year. The latter underscores a track record for coach Kyle Shanahan, who has had notable success with running backs who arrive to the NFL with lesser pedigree, whether it's Alfred Morris (sixth round) in Washington or Devonta Freeman (fourth round) in Atlanta. The Niners used a fourth-round pick in 2017 on Joe Williams, and if they consider adding more backs into the fold this year, they could again find value in the later rounds of the draft.

Paul Richardson enters free agency after a career year, likely tempting him to test the open market, where he would be a coveted commodity. It's hard to understand why the Seahawks would have traded a second-round pick last year if they didn't consider Sheldon Richardson a priority to keep long term. Seattle has some cap juggling to do across the roster as it angles to keep its core intact long term, the byproduct of assembling a roster of strong talent. While the offensive line is the most significant need, Sheldon Richardson is an anchor on the defensive line. Paul Richardson will likely see very good money in free agency. Seattle utilized a third-round pick on Amara Darboh last year, putting him No. 2 in the pecking order here.